Folding chair and table set



Jan. 30, 1951 H. H. woHLK FOLDING CHAIR AND TABLE SET 4 Sharia-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 21, 1949 ATTE R N EYE Jan. 30, 1951 H. H. woHLK 2,539,603

FOLDING CHAIR AND TABLE SET Filed Nov. 21, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTCIRN EYS Jan. 30, 1951 H. H. woHLK FOLDING CHAIR AND TABLE SET 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 21, 1949 wlja INVENTOR. @fing/www@ ATTD RN EYBJan. 30, 1951 H. H. woHLK 2,539,603

FOLDING CHAIR AND TABLE SET Filed Nov. 21, 1949 f4 sheets-sheet 4Patented Jan. 30, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,539,603 FOLDINGCHAIR AND TABLE sE'r Henning H. WohllfSpokane, Wash.

Application November 21, 1949, Serial No. 128,638

This invention relates to furniture, and more particularly to a foldingchair and table set.

The object of the invention is to provide a combination table andfolding chairs therefor, the chairs adapted to be folded into a compactunit, whereby the chairs can be positioned in an outof-the-way positionbeneath the table top when the chairs are not being used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination table andfolding chairs which can be used to comfortably support a plurality ofpersons seated around the table, or the chairs can be folded orcollapsed and supported beneath the table top when not being used,whereby the table and chairs will occupy a minimum amount of space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination table andfolding chairs, the chairs including suitable braces for preventing thechairs from accidentally folding during use, there being a handle on theback of each chair to facilitate the removal of the chairs from theirfolded positions beneath the table, and wherein the chairs can be foldedand positioned beneath the table top to occupy a minimum space, as whenthe furniture is being stored or transported.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding chair andtable set which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout thesame:

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing the chairs in their open positionaround thetable and ready for use;

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of one of the chairs in its openposition;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing one of the chairs in itscollapsed or folded position;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing a f pair of the chairs intheir folded position supported beneath the table top;

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevational view showing certainconstructional details of the chair;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral I8 designates a tablewhich includes a horizontally-disposed base II. Secured to the bottom ofthe base II is a plurality of blocks I2 each of which carriesv a gliderelement I3 that 3 Claims. (Cl. 155-424) is arranged in engagement withthe floor, where b-y the table I il can be conveniently slid or moved;

along the floor to any desired location.

Projecting upwardly from the base I| and secured thereto is avertically-disposed standardl or column I4, and the column I4 has ahorizontally-disposed table top I5 secured to its upper end. Althoughthe table top I5 is illustrated in may be circular in shape. Arrangedadjacent the lower end of the standard I4 and secured thereto" is aplurality of spaced body members I6 which gdene therebetween guidewaysI1 for a purpose to be later described.

The persons seated around the table I0 are` adapted to be supportedonfolding chairs I8. In Figure l, four of the chairs I8 are shown, butmore or less of the chairs can be used if desired.

As each of the chairs I8 has ther same construc-v tion, only one will bedescribed in detail. Each chair I8 comprises a back member I9 that has ahandlev 20 secured thereto.

to facilitate the removal of the chair I8 from beneath the table top beused. v

Each chair I8 includes a'seat 2| that is hingedly connected to the backmember I9 by a hinge 22, the seat 2| serving to support a person whenthe chair is in its open position. A hinge 23 pivotally or hingedlyconnects a leg extensionv 24 to the lower end of the back member I9.Arranged adjacent the front end of the seat 2| and secured 4thereto is ablock 25, and a hinge 21 hingedly or" pivotally connects the upper endof a front legr 26 tothe blockv 25.

Each of the front legs 26 includes a pair of' vertically-disposed,spaced members 28 andJ extending between the pair of members 28 is apair of horizontally-disposed strips 29 and 30.'

The strips 29 and 38 coact with the members 28 a hinge 33, `thehingeconnection between the upper end of the arm 32 and the seat 2|beingv designated by the numeral 34. The arm 32 serves to maintain theleg extension 24 in its open or extended position when the chair isbeing used.

Secured to the bottom of the seat 2| by suit- The handle 28 is' adaptedto be gripped in the users hand so as l5, where the chairs are to' ablesecuring elements, such as screws 36, is a. slide bracket 35 which hasan L-shape. The bracket 35 is provided with an elongated slot 31 whichterminates in a transverse portion 38. A pin 39 slidably and hingedlyconnects one end of a rst brace 40 to the bracket 35, the pin 39extending through the slot 31. A pin 4I pivotally connects the other endof the first brace 40 to the back Ymember I9. The pin =.39.alsoslidablyand pivotallyconnects one end -of .a second brace 42 to the slidebracket 35, while a hinge 43 pivotally connects the other end of thesecond brace 42 to the front leg 26 of the chair I8.

When the chair is in its open position and being used, the pin 39 ispositioned ,in the .transverse portion 38 of the slot 31, whereby thefront leg 26 and the seat 2| will be maintained safely in their extendedor open positions, so that the chair will not accidentally collapse orfold up during use. A horizontally-disposed support member 44 is securedto the back member I9 of the chair, and the support member'44 helps tosupport the seat 2| when the chair is being used.

lFor maintaining the chairs I8 Yin alignment when the chairs are openand being used, there is provided for each chair a 'hinged lever '45.Thus, each lever 45 comprises a rst section 46 that is'hingedlyconnected to the leg extension 24 by =a hinge 41. A second section 48 ishingedly connected to the -firstV section 46 by a -hinge 49, and the'free end of the second section 48 kis adapted to be positioned in theguideway I1. When the chairs are not being used, the section 4'8 `isfolded against 'the section 46 and these folded sections are inserted'through the cut-out 3| in the front leg 26, whereby the chair ywill bemaintained in its folded or collapsed position, as show-n in Figures 3and 4.

iWhen the furniture of the present invention is being used, the partsare in the positions shown in Figure 1. Thus, the chairs I8 serve tosupport persons thereon and the ends of thesections 48 are seated in theguideways I1 so as to maintain vthe chairs I8 in alignment, whereby thepersons seated around the table I!! can use the tableztop for anydesired purpose. It is to be noted that the pin 39is positioned in thetransverse portion 38 of the slot 31 when the chairs arexbeing used; sothat the seat 2| and thefront l'eg25 will :not accidentally fold. Also,the arm 321serves to maintain the leg extension' 24 in its openVposition. When the chairs are'not being used, V.thexchairs I8 can bereadily folded and supported on the `base I| beneath the table top I5,whereby the furniture lwill loccupy a minimum amount :of space, as'whenthe furniture is to be storedor transported. 'To fold the chairs, thepin 39 is moved downwardly out' ofthe transverse-portion 38 :of the slot31,and the seat 2| is pivoted about the hinge 22, so that it occupies orassumes a position-contiguous to the back member I9. Also, the vfrontleg 2E is pivoted about .the hinge 21 to a position contiguous to theseat 2|, and further, the lever 45 is folded about the hinge 49 and thesections v45 and 48 are inserted through the cut-outs 3| vin the frontleg 26, whereby the parts 'ofthe chair will 'be maintained fin theirfolded position, sov that accidental opening of fthe `chair will -be`prevented. After the chairs I8 havebeen collapsed or folded, the :partsare in the positions shown in Figuresv 3 and-aand it will -be -seen thatthe 'leg-extension 24 has :also been 'pivoted about the hinge A23.Then,v the folded kchairs I 8 can be readiiysupported on the base IIIbeneath the tabletop '1"5,

so that the entire table-and-chair set will occupy a minimum amount ofspace. When the chairs are to be used, the user need only grip thehandle 20 and remove the chairs from the positions of Figure 4, and byreversing the previouslydescribed procedure, the parts of the chair canbe moved to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, whereby the chairsare ready for normal use.

The furniture may be made of any suitable material, such as wood, andanynumiber of chairs can be used as desired. The furniture is attractiveand is especially suitable for use in small apartments or other placeswhere space is at a premium, the furniture set being suitable for indooror outdoor use.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination, a table including a horizontally-disposed base, aplurality of spaced glide blocks secured to the bottom of said base forsupporting the latter, a vertically-disposed standard f proiectingupwardly from said base and secu-red thereto, -a horizontally-disposedtop supported on the upper end of said standard, a plurality of chairsfor supporting persons thereon when in their open positions, said chairsadapted to be folded when 'not being used and supported on said base,each of said chairs comprising a back member, a seat having one endhingedly connected '-to said back vmember intermediate the ends thereof,a leg extension hingedly connected to the lower end of said back member,a frontleg having its 'upper end hingedly connected to the other end -ofsaid seat, a slide bracket secured to the flower surface of said seat, arst brace having one end pivotally connected -to said back member andits other end slidably connected to said bracket, a second brace havingone -end pivotallyiconnected to said front leg and 'its other endsli-dably connected to said bracket, sai-d'iirst and second ybracesserving to prevent accidental folding of said cha'ir, and an arcuate armhaving one end vpivotally connected to said seat and its otherendpivotally connected to said leg `exten-- sion 'for maintaining saidleg extension in eX- f tended position when the chair is being used.

'2. The apparatus as described in claim Y1, and further including alever yembodying a pair of sections lpivotally connected together andhingedly connected to said leg extension, anda pluralityof spaced bodymembers secured to the lower end Yof said 'standard and dening guidewaystherebetween for receiving said levers when the chairs are in their openpositions.

'3. In combination, a table including a base, a plurality of spacedslide blocks secured to said base for supporting the latter, a standardprojecting upwardly from said base and secured thereto, a top supportedon the upper endof said standard, a plurality of chairs "for supportingpersons thereon when in their lopen positions, said `chairs adapted tobe folded when not Abeing used and vsupported on said base, each of saidchairs comprising a back member, a seat having one end 'hingedlyconnected to said back member intermediate the ends thereof, a legextension hingedly connected to the lower end of said 'back member, afront leg hingedly Vconnected tothe other end of said seat, a slidebracket secured t0 the `lower surface of said seat, a rst brace Vhavingone end pivotally connected to said back member andthe other endslidably-connected jto said bracket, a second brace having one endpivotally connected to saidfront leg and the other end slidably`connected to said bracket, said viirst and 'second braces rserving toprevent accidental folding of said chairs, and an arm having one endpvotally connected to said seat and the other` end pivotally connectedto said leg extension for maintaining said leg extension in extendedposition when the chair is being used.

HENNING H. WOHLK.

6 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,304,368 Purcell May 20, 19191,359,118 Wright Nov. 16, 1920 1,520,641 Giard Dec. 23, 1924

